Tony de Leede Steps aside at Fitness First

Tony de Leede, the founder of Fitness First Australia, is stepping aside from his Chief Executive's role.

After eight years of leading Fitness First's growth to 83 clubs nationally and an annual turnover estimated at $350 million, de Leede has announced he will hand over the day to day operations of the business.

He will remain involved in the business as Chairman of the Australian group and will also retain his position on the Fitness First Global Board and be involved in other global initiatives.

Explaining his move, De Leede stated "after nearly 30 years in the business in both the US and Australia growing successful fitness companies, I have decided it is time to step aside and slow down a little and make sure I keep practicing what Iâ've preached for all these years."

De Leede and the UK-based Fitness First plc took the bankrupt Healthland group from 11 clubs in 2000 and turned it into the global Fitness First brand. With a total of 560 clubs in 18 countries, Fitness First is the largest global health club operator - with Fitness First Australia the most profitable region in the worldwide network.

Tony de Leede's successor as Chief Executive is Peter Stirling Benson, whose new role will be effective from 1st September.

Stirling Benson is best known in the leisure industry for his time as Chief Executive of Ticketek, leading the company through a major investment and transformation program over a period of five years. He moved to Australia in 1989 as Business Manager for British Airways, was Chief Executive at General

Entertainment Channel TVI at the time of the launch of pay television in Australia and then returned to the travel industry as General Manager of Galileo, the market leader in providing electronic distribution services to the industry's travel agency network. Stirling Benson holds a Combined Honours Degree from University College London and an MBA from the London Business School.